Lumber-drying machine



sept. 2s 192e.

G. F, ALEXANDER LUIBER nanna ummm Filled Nov. s., 1925 y 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEY.

G. F. ALEXANDER LUMBER DRYING MACHINE l Sept. 2 8 1926.

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Sept. 28 1926;

G. F. ALEXANDER LUKBER DRYING MACHINE Filed Nov. 3'. 19

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Pater-ted Sept. 28, 19.26#

UNITED STATES GEORGE F. ALEXANER, OF WESTFIELD, 1\l[ASSACHT.TSETISl LUMBER-DRYING MACHINE.

Application filed November 5 bottom 'central openings, and divided into radial, open-ended compartments vfor the reception of the lumber torbedried, Vand certain peculiar supporting axial and peripheral supporting means, together with suitable fastening or anchoring means for. the lumber while being dried, humidifying -means when needed, and such other parts and members as may be necessary or desirable in order to render the machine complete and serviceable in every respect, all as hereinafter set forth.

The rimary object of my invention is to produce a comparatively simple yet highly efficient machine for drying lumber, by the centrifugal action of air passing through the machine, thoroughly, and expeditiously, in a manner which prevents excessive checking, warping, twisting, and Vhoneycombing, defects commonly found in ordinary kilndried lumber. vThe moisture content of the lumber is expelled by the centrifugal force or action of the rotary carrier of the machine, that is to say, by the suction of air drawn out fardly between the courses of lumber, whereby what may be termed a syphoning effect is produced in the pores of the lumber, due to the small amout of heat required, and the centrifugal movement which produces a pull of air on the surface pores. Coo fast drying may be counterac-ted by the use of moisture in the machine. By reversing the revolving carrier, as may be donc as often as required in this machine, the lumber is dried on both sides alike, or, in other words, the defects that result from drying lumber on one side faster than onv the other are prevented from occurring.

A further object isvto produce a lumberdrying machine through which the air is caused to circulateL at a velocity corresponding to the peripheral speed of the rotary carrier, the air entering through central openings at the top and bottom of said carrier, continuing inward from said'top and bottom, and passing outwardly through the drying compartments and between the courses of lumber piled therein, being finally expelled or discharged into the surrounding atmosphere. l A ljhismachine may be used in a heated 3, 1925. serial No, 66,453.

room, and then corresponds with a kiln, in which event the speed of the rotation of the carrier isV lower than when said machine is used as an air drier.

A still further object is to provide the machine with means for discharging into the top and bottom thereof, in the center, line jets of live or exhaust steam` or of cold water, for the purpose of humidifying the air circulating through said carrier. The moisture thus introduced into the carrier is carried by the air currents through the drying compartments in which the lumber is piled and through the piles thereof. This moisture or humidity tends to equalize the drying proc-ess.

Another object is to provide the machine with convenient means for loading lumber into the same and securing it therein, and for releasing the lumber and unloadingA it from the machine. Y

Still another object is to afford means for rendering the machine strong, stable, and durable, and capable of having rotary motion in either direction imparted to the carrier and load thereof, and with the proper amount of frictional resistance.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the course of the following description.

A preferred embodiment of the invention, whereby I attain the objects and secure the advantages of the same, is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and I will proceed to describe the invention with reference to said drawings, although it is to be understood that the form, construction, arrangement, etc., of the parts and members in various aspects, are not material, and may be modified without departure from the spirit of the invention.

In the drawing, in which similar reference characters designate similar parts throughout the several views, Figure l is a top plan of one-half of a lumber-drying Vmz'ichine which embodies apractical form of my invention, all except the left-hand portion of the roof being broken away to disclose the portions ofthe machinel below which otherwise would be concealed, the right-hand portion of the supporting frame appearing in full, and there being disclosed in section, betweenrthese top and bottom portions, three drying chambers; Fig. 2, an enlarged end elevation of a fragmentary POYlJOIl. 0f 011e Of the lumber trucks and the lumber piled thereon with open-work or perforated stickers between courses; Fig. 3, an enlarged sectional detail of a fragmentary portion of the trame of the carrier taken at the periphery; Fig. l, a trent elevation of said` machine, portions of said iframe being broken away and the supporting` elements tor such portions omitted; Fig. 5, a central, vertical section through said machine; Fig. 6, an enlarged, top plan oi onelialf of the central portion oi the traine oi the machine; Fig. 7, Va central, Vertical section through said frame at and adjacent to the airis thereof, and through the supporting;l members below, and, Fig'. 8, a fragmentary, top plan of the main ball-l earing for the hub of the traine. ln the first View the ceilings over the threl drying compartments therein appearing, two in 'lull outline and one in partial outline, are omitted and the side walls of such compartments are in section; and in Fig. means for supplying the machine with moisture or humidity are illustrated;

My machine may be supported and arranged to .rotate on a central pier l, and on a pluralit).T of outlying piers 2 arranged equidistant apart and in a circle around said central pier. Only the upper portions ot the piers 1 and 2 are shown. liiounted on and bolted or otherwise secured to the top of the pier 1 is a stirrup-bearing 3, and mounted on and secured to each ot' the piers 2 is a braclret l which afiords bearings lor a shalt on which is a roller S.

ln the center oi the stirrup-bearing 3 is circular chamber 7, d litting' within said chamber is a hollow cylinder 8f llTit-hinthe cylinder 8 are ball-ease sections 9` which, when in place, form a complete cylinder that ts the inner wall or side ot said cylinder O sets of balls l() at different elevations. rlhe cylinder 8 has an interior flange at the `bottom, and the ball-case. sections 9 are shoulders-r. the bottom to receive said llang'e, as shown at l1. Vllius'the ball-case is supported a short distance above the bottoni of the chamber Y; A pluralityY ot radial bolts 12 may be pro vided to prevent the cylinder 8 from being' raised oli thIl bottom et the chamber 7, each oi" such bolts passing* inwardly through the exterior portion oL the Y s'tirrup-bearing 3 into engagement with the I shoulder le, and said cess'ed to receive theba'lls'fv Il 2111119. l

constructed a ball-bearing lor the,

"rame-ot the carrier; The ball-cylinder is ricidlj-.7 secured to the hub underl 'the ball-'cylinder'is not reo, and is interiorlyv recessed to receive two tions 9, consequently the hub 13 is not locked down by means oi' said balls. Thus provision is made ior the hub 13 to be raised in its bearing, under certain stresses and strains incident to the loading and unloading and operation of the machine without danithe bearing members. The ballscase sections 9 are held in place 'from above by i rceans or a ringl which is bolted or otherwise secured to the top ot' the cylinder 8 and extends inwardly over onto said sections.

Let into an annular channel 17 in the top ot the stirri'ip-bearing; 8, adjacent tothe outer peripher)T thereof, and bolted or otherwise securedto said stump-bearing, is an annular ball-case 1S in which is a .set of balls 19. Mounted on the balls 19 is a ball-case 20. The hub 13 has an oif'erhan'ging head` at the top, and the ball-ease 2O is formed ont-he' under side oit such head. The ball-case' 18 and 2O and the balls 19 constitute an auxiliar)7 ball-bearing' for the carrier trarne. 'lie aforesaid head of the hub 17 consistsin part of a flange 21V above, in 'front of the ball-case 2G below, and in part ot a plurality ot radial arms 22 between said flange' and ballscase. The arms 22 are spaced equidistant apart, and in the present example there are twelve et theinhbut this number may vary in different machines. Bolted or otherwise secured to the top of the hub 13 is a circular anchor-plate 23 haring` a central recess therein and provided withan inwaidly-extending, annular Vflange 24.

Twelve -beams or girders 25 are connected atv their inner terminals with the arms 22 by means et' lugs 25 and bolts 27 with nuts 28 thereon. rllhe inner terminal portions oi the lugs 26, in each pair are introduced between the 'flange 21 and the fll-case 20, and placed against opposite les oi one 'of the arms22, and there securedby means of one of the bolts 2"( with its nut 2S, thebolt passing laterally through the lugs and arm. ylhe inner ends ot' the lugs- 26 bear against peripheral portions oi' the head et the hub 13 below thev flange 2l. rlie outer terminal portions el the lugs in each pair, are riveted or otherwise seeured to one of the girdei on opposite sides oi the web thereof. 1n the present eX- ainple the web on each girder 25 is vthinner than the arin 22'with which' said girder is connected, consequently it is necessary to insert filler plates-29 on opposite sides of said web and between the same and the lugzjsG. leferably the `girders 25 are arianned at a slight upward inclination 'from within out'- wardly.

lflireted to the web on each side of ea h girner adjacent to theieut'er Yend' the is an :infile-iron orlirac et S0, and'rireted to said bracket isa af channel Yiron 31. as clearly shown in 3. neliren 3l encircles inet,

The chan-Y outer ends, and is contiguous with such ends and with the parts of the brackets A to which said channel-iron is riveted, the inside of the latter being contiguous with. the girder ends and the laterally projecting parts of said brackets. Thus the channeliron 3l forms the rim of the carrier frame. rEhe girders E25 and the channel-iron or rim are braced to strengthen the structure, as shown at the right in Fig. l. Ordinarily, the rim 3l, because of its large size or circumferenc'e, is made in sections. y

circularV I-beam 82, which ordinarily must be made in sections like the rim 31, is riveted or otherwise secured to the under sides of the girders 25, a short distance in from said rim, and said I-beam is provided ou the outside with a plurality of brackets S4. Each bracket 34 is riveted or otherwise secured at the tcp against the bottom of one of the girders 25. The I-beam 32 forms a carrier or support for a circular rail 35` which is secured to the bottom vof said support by means of clamps 36, these clamps being arranged in pairs at intervals around said support and track. The clamps 36, in each pair, fit over the contiguous flanges on opposite sides of the support 32 and the rail and bolts or rivets are passed through Contiguous portions of said clamps land lianges. are of the proper combined depth to enable said track to bear and ride on the rollers 6 and maintain the girders 25 at the required angle of inclination. Villien theA hub 13 with its roller-bearing rotates in the stirrupbearing- 3, the track 35 travels around on the rollers 6. The rollers 6 have a slight downward inclination inwardly in order to compensate for the thrust of the track 35 which is supported thereon, and carried by the support 32 which has a slight outward inclination from above downward.

rihe frame constructed in the manner just described is well adapted to support and carry the load for which it is intended.A

A cable 37 is given one or more turns around the rim 3l and carried around a driving pulley, as 38, being guided thereto on one side by a sheave, as 39. When the driving'puliej, 38 is rotated, rotary motion is imparted, through the medium of the cable 37, to the frame and the superstructure, and 1road if any thereon and therein. The rotary motion thus imparted may be in either direction. Any suitable motive power may be employed for driving the pulley 38; and the driving means may vary to meet different conditions.

here are twelve drying compartments in this machine, six long compartments, each indicated by the numeral 40, and six short compartments, each indicatedby the numeral 41. rlfhese.compartments arev erected on the frame and are radial to the axis .of the The support 32 and the track 35v machine. Eachv long compartment 40 comprises a floor 42,-parallel sides or-partitions 43-43, and a ceiling 44; -and each short compartment 4l` comprises a floor 45, parallelv partitions .i6-46, and a ceiling47. Rising from every` other girder 25, some distance from the inner end thereof, is an upright 48, and secured to the inner side of and rising above the rim 3l, at intervals around the same, are uprights 49. There are other uprights '50 and l which rise from the frame, thekformer being more nearlj7 adjacent to the uprights 49 and the latter more nearly adjacent to the uprights 48. The 'loer 42, partitions 43, and ceiling 44, of each compartment 40, extend inwardly from two adjacent uprights 49 to two vadjacent uprights 48,`and between two adjacent uprights 5G and two adjacent uprights 5l. The floor 45, the partitions 46, and the ceiling 47, of each compartment 41, extend inwardly from lthe next two adjacent uprights 49,. on either side ofthose just previously mentioned, between the next two-adjacent uprights 50, on either side of the two just previously mentioned, and one of the aforesaid uprights 5l and the next adjacent upright 5i on the same side of they compartment- 40, and beyond said last-named two uprights 5l to the sides 43 of the two compartments 40 on opposite sides of said compartment 4l. The compartments 40 and 4l are open at both ends. Supported on the frame structure under the floor of each of the compart-k ments 40 are parallel tracks or rails 52, and supported on the frame structure under the floor of each of the compartments 4l are parallel tracks or rails 53. The floor boards are between the rails in each compartment. The uprights are braced in the usual manner to whatever extent may be necessary. A roof 54 is carried on rafters 55 which are supported on the uprights 48 and 49. In the center of the roof 54r is an opening 56, v-.fhich opening is a little less in diameter than is the distance from the axis of the machine to theV inner end of any compartment 40. The frame of thevmachine opens around UG I the hub 13 and between the girders 25 into the space in the superstructure beneath the opening 56. Thus is 1s seen that air can enter the center of the carrier from bothV thel means to humidity the same, as the sprayers illustrated in Fig. 5, These sprayers VC0m- Thus the prise a y nelyper'forated, straight, horizontal pipe 57 above, and a finely perforated, annula-r pipe 58 below., The pipel 57 is'conu'ected with thedown-turned terminal of a yhorizontal supply pipe 59,A which latter' is 3 6l whichI encircles'f the pier l, being located by said posts outside of or around the hub i3i and beneath the inner terminal portions of the gi-rders 25. The discharge from the pipe 58 passes upwardly between the girdfers into the open' space in the center of the into theinterior of the same at the center,

som'e from-above the same and some from below', and d-is'chargedl through the compartments'i 4:0E and 41, as previously explained, and stream or water discharged from the sprayer pipes 57 and 58 commingle with the air in the center off said carrier, and passes with it through said compartments.'

Material placed in the compartments ll() and el, in such'v a manner as to permit the air' to pass in Contact therewith, is dried by the action of such air thereon.

Then lumber' in long pieces is to be dried, theV same is`- us'ua'lly placed on trucks which are runf into the compartments 4l() and ll and there left until' the lumber thereon is dry, when said trucks are withdrawn from said compartments,- an'd the lumber' is removed therefrom. The trucks for the compartments 4l are necessarily shorter than those for the coinpartn'ients 40. In Fig. 4 I have shown the outer endof a long truck loaded with lumber in one of the compartments 40, and, in Fig'. 51,. the inner end of a long truck loaded-inf another compartment 40, and a side elevation of a' short truck in one of the compartments all. The long and short trucks just referred to are respectively designated by the' numerals 63 and 63a.

Each of the trucks 68 or 63d' is in the main of ordinary construction, and comprises a platform mounted on wheels` which areV adapted. to run on therails 52. The truck isfprelvidcd with. upright stakes 64:1 as usual,

andlumber, .such as.the;b'oards 65, may be' stacked. edgewise' onthea platform of the truck between-.said stakes,l with perforatedY stickers, as 66, standing on end between the nettinggfsecured thereto, is providedfor the rear end' of the truck; The gate 67 is provided near the bottom and adjacent toeach vertical edge with two forwardly-extending lugs 68, and on each side of thetruck 63, adjacent to the rear end thereof, is anoutward-lyeextending lug 69 which is receivable between said lugs 68. A pin 70 is passet down, through' perforations in each set of lugs 68 and 69, when the gate 67 is in place, and thus secures said gate at the bottom to the truck. The gate is held securely in place at the top by means of a pair of rods 7l and a connecting turn-buckle 72 on side of the truck and its load, said having their outer endsv respectively nected at 73 with the truck and at said gate.

After the truck 63 has been loaded with the boards 65 arranged lengthwise and Yedgewifse thereon with the stickers 66 arranged atV intervals between the courses of boards, the gate 67 is secured in place behind the boards', and the loaded truck is pushed into one of the compartments Ll() or 4l. The movement of any truck inwardly in its compartment is limited by means of an angleiro'n stopA 79, which is mounted on and se cured to the radial girder 25 beneath the compartment, at the inner end thereof, and a stop bracket 8O Von the: front end of the truck, said stop being inthe path of said bracket. partment, the truck is secured by means of a pair of rods (as 75) and a connecting turn-buckle 76, the outer'rod being connected at 77 with the truck at the front end, and the inner rod having at its forward rods conwith terminal' a hook 78 which is engaged with the flange of the anchor-plate 28.

In a generally similar manner and by generally similar means the other trucks areloaded, close at their rear ends, run into their respective compartments, and secure in placev therein.

Although the trucks stand at an incline in their compartments, the inclination being downward from circumference to center of the machine,-there is no liability of the lumber shifting inwardly, as will be readily understood. Provision is made for carrying thetruckson an incline, as described, in order to reduce the tendency of said trucks tof be projected from the carrier when the same is inI motion, andl for the further purpose ofdiverting the air currents from-horizontal tof' upwardly directed courses, and thereby' facilitating thel movement of such currents" and enhancing the action thereof on the lumber. Y

lVhen: all. (preferably) ofl theV coinpa'rt#Vv ments dOandzll have-received loaded trucks, and said trucks have been fastened to the anchoir-plate 28, the carrier is set in motion each W'hen properly located in its comv IIT* and bottom of said carrier at the center, and sucked out-through said compartments and between the courses of lumber therein, passing through the stickers 66 and the perforated portions of the gatesv rhe direction of rotation of the carrier is changed as and when required, so that the air currents shall be applied with equal force to both sides of the boardsV 65, or in a manner to equalize or render uniform'the dryingprocess. Although the driving pulley 38 is so small in diameter, compared to the 'rim 31, and the carrier must in consequence travel very much slower than said pulley,

the speed of said carrier is suflicient to pro-` duce and maintain, throughout thedrying peration, the required circulation of Vair through the drying compartments.

When the boards 65 are dry, the poiver is shut off and the carrier comes to a standstill. rIhe trucks are then unfastened and pushed out of their compartments, the gates o? are released and removed, and the boards 65 with the stickers 66 are taken from the trucks. f

If, during the drying operation, it be necessary or desirable to humidifythe air passing through the machine, steam or Water is discharged through the spray pipes 57 and 58 into the carrier, as hereinbefore explained. I The humidity prevents the surface of the lumber from drying faster than the interior portions thereof, and thus insures even or uniform drying.

The lumber may be arranged endWise and vertically instead of' edgewise and horizontally on the trucks, in which event ordinary stickers, which comprise strips of Wood each about one inch thick and from one to tvvo inches wide, are disposed at intervals horizontally between the courses, being supported in place by cleats tacked to the lumber, or by any other suitable means. Flat piling is not recommended, but can be resorted to by using open-Work or perforated stickers, such as the stickers 66.

Squares of Wood may be dried in this machine if properly stacked and separated by suitable stickers.

The loaded trucks, when fastened to the anchor plate 23 in the center of the machine, mll one against the other, and thereby greatly reduce the strain on the machine of the centrifugal throw or tendency to fiy out- Wardly or be expelled from the carrier of said trucks, when said carrier is revolved.

The heavy Wire netting in the gates 67 prevents the lumber from sliding 'outwardly when the carrier is in motion, but does not appreciably interfere With the free flouT of air through the loads. l

The arrows in Fig. 5 indicate the directions of the air currents as they enter the machine from above and belovv at the center, pass outwardly and radially through the compartments, and escape from the outer ends of said compartments.

Owing to the necessarily small size of the stickers 66 illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5, no perforations are shown therein.

Although this machine is designed especially for drying lumber, itis conceivable that the sainev might be utilized for drying othermaterials, substances, orobjects, such as fruit and vegetables, for example, hence I do not desire or intend to limit myself in any Way so far as theuse of the machine'is concerned.

What I claiml as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. In a drying machine, of the class described, an unenclosed carrier rotatable on a vertical axis, and having an interior air intake andvair outlets which communicate with said intake and discharge through the periphery of said carrier, and a supporting structure entirely underneath said carrier.

2.' In a dying machine,"of the class described,an unenclosed carrierrotatable on a vertical axis, and having an interior air intake and air outlets Whichcommunicate with said intake and discharge through the. periphery of said carrier, a supporting structure entirely underneathrsaid carrier, and means to drivev said carrier from its periphery. f f

3. In a drying machine, ofthe class described, an unenclosed carrier rotatable on la verticalaxis, provided With radial compartments, and having therein -a central air intake, said compartments vbeing open at their inner ends to said intake, and opening at their outer ends through the periphery ofsaid carrier, and a supporting structure entirely underneath said carrier.

et. In a drying machine, of the class described, a carrier rotatable on a vertical axis, provided With radial compartments, and having therein an air intake Which opens through thebottom around the axial center and through the top in the axial center of said'carrier, and With Which said compartments communicate at their inner ends,said compartments opening at their outer ends through the periphery of said carrier.

5. In a drying machine, of the class describeda carrier rotatable on a vertical axis, provided with a perforated bottom and a perforated roof, and With radial compartments, and having a central opening thereinV for the intake of air through said bottom and roof, said compartments being in open communication at their inner ends with said central opening, and opening at their outer ends through the periphery of said carrier.

6. In a drying machine, of the class described, an unenclosed carrier rotatable on a vertical axis, provided with' radial compartments, and having a central opening therein for the intake of air, and With Which said con'ipartments communicate at their inner ends, said compartments at their outer ends opening through the aeriphery of said carrier, supporting structure entirely underneath said carrier, and means to introduce moisture into said central opening.

7. in a drying machine, of the class described, a carrier rotatable on a vertical axis, provided With radial compartments, and having a central opening for the intake of airthrough the top, and with which said compartments communicate at their inner ends, said compartments openingV at theirI outerV ends through the periphery of said carrier, and means to introduce moisture into said central opening at the top thereof.

8. In a drying machine, of the class described, a carrier rotatable ony a vertical airis, provided with radial compartments, and having a central opening for the intalie of air through the top, and With which said compartments communicate at their inner ends, said compartments opening -at their outer ends through the periphery of said carrier, and, a sprayer introduced into said central opening through the top thereof.

9. In a drying machine, f the class described, a carrier rotatable on a vertical airis, provided with radial compartments, and having a central opening for the intalre of air through the bottom, with which opening. said compartments communicate at their inner ends, said compartments opening at their outer ends through the periphery of said,` cai-rien, andl means to introduce moisture into said central opening at the bottom thereof.

10. In a dryingI machine, ofthe class described, a carrier rotatableon a vertical axis, provided with radial compartments, and having a central openingv for the intake of air through the bottom, With Which opening said4 compartments communicate at their inner end, said compartments opening at their outer ends through the periphery of said carrier,land a sprayer arranged to discharge moisture into said central' opening at the bottom thereof.

11. ln av drying machine, of the class described, a carrier rotatable on a vertical take of air through the top and bottom, With which opening said compartments comY municate at their inner ends, said compartments opening at their outer ends through the periphery of said carrier, a sprayer in said opening near the top thereof, and a sprayer located below said opening in position to discharge moisture into the same at the bottom.

18. The combination, in a drying machineA of the class described, With an une lose-d carrier rotatal'ile on a vertical axis, provided with radial compartments, and having a con tral air intake opening With which said c pertinents at their inner ends communicate said compartments at their outer ends opV ing through ther periphery of said carrier, and a supporting structure entirely underneath said carrier, ot means to support jects to be dried in said compartments in a manner to permit air to pass between said objects.

14. The combination, in a drying machine of the class described, with a carrier rotatable on a Vvertical anis, provided with rad' l compartments, and having a central air 1atale opening ivith which said compa communicate at their inner ends, sa compertinents opening at their ends through the periphery of said carrier, of trucks, for objects toV `be dried. receivable in said compartments, and central faste ing means for said trucks, whereby the la ter pull against each other under the strain incident to thecentrifugal thro-W of the carrier when in motion.

15. The combination, in a dr fing machine ofthe class. described, with a arrier rot-atable on. a vertical axis, provided With radial compartments, and having a central air intake opening With which said compartments communicate at their inner ends, said compartments opening `at their outer ends through the periphery of said carrier, of trucks, for objects to be dried, receivable in said compartments, and means to fasten said trucks :to a common center.

16. rlhe combination, in a drying machine of t-he class described, with a carrier rotatable ofn a vertical axis, provided with radial compartments, and having acentral air intake, With which said compartments at their inner ends communicate, said compartments at their outer ends opening through the periphery of said carrier, of trucks, for objects tobe dried, receivable in said compartments,. and means to hold said trucks against the centrifugal force to which they are subjected When said carrier rotates.

17. The combination, in a drying machine of the class described, with 'a carrier rotatable on a vertical airis. provided With radial compartments, and having a central air intake opening with which said compartments communicate at their inner ends, said compartments opening at 'their outer ends through the periphery of said carrierfand an anchor-plate on the bottom in the center ot said carrier, ot'trucks. for objects to be' Vis revolving.

18. T he combination, in a drying machine of the class described, with a carrier rotatable on a vertical a-Xis, consisting" in part of a supporting frame which inclines upwardly from the center, being provided with radial compartments and rhaving a central air intake opening withv which said compartments communicate at their inner ends, said compartments at their outer ends opening through theperiphery of said carrier, of trucks, for objects to be dried, receivable in said compartments, and means to hold sait trucks against the centrifugal torce incident to the rotary motion of the carrier.

i9. ln a drying machine, of the class described 'ith a carrier rotatable on a vertical anis, consist-ing in part of a supporting traine which inclines upwardly ifromv the center, being provided, with radial compartments, and having central air intake opening with which said compartments comniunicate at their inner ends, said compartments at their outer ends opening through the periphery or' said carrier,'and means to rotate said carrier, the upward inclination ot said frame tending to counteract the centrifugal torce exerted on the contents 'of said compartments when said'carrier is in motion.

20. The combination, in a drying machine Y ot the class describen, with a central support, and outlying supports, of a carrier consisting in part oit a supporting frame provided with a vcentral hub mounted to rotate in said central support, the peripheral portion of said frame travelling on said outlyy ing supports, said carrier being provided with radial compartments, and having a" rier.

:re-cess, and outlying supports, of a carrier consisting in partota frame having a central head-pi'ovided hub mounted torotate inY said Vanti-friction bearing andv hav- 'i-n its peripheral portion supported onV -said outlyingsupports, said carrier being provided with radial compartments, and having a vcentral air intake opening with which said compartments Vcommunicate at their inner ends, saidcompartments opening atl their outer ends through theV periphery of said carrier, and an anti-:friction bearing between -the peripheral part of the top of ,said stirrup-bearing and the head oi saidrhub. v 22. The combination, in

supported stirrup-bearing having .a central recess therein, and anti-friction bearing 1n 'said recess, and a vplurality of suitably mounted outlying rollers, of a carrier consisting in part of a trame having a central compartments attheir inner ends communi-v cate, said compartments at their out-er ends opening through 4the periphery of said car- 23.4 In a drying machine, of the class described, a fra-me comprising a'hub havingk a. projecting head, said hub beingv adapted to be mounted for rotation, radial girders, means to secure said girders tesa-id head, a member encircling andsecured to said girders at their outer ends, anfannular support secured to said girdeis underneath vand ad- -jacent to their outer ends, an annular. rail secured to said support, and ansuperstructure on said frame, divided into radial compartments, and having therein a central air intake opening with which said compartments communicate at their inner ends, said compartments at their outer ends opening through the periphery of said superstructure.

2li. In a drying machine, of the class described, a frame comprising a hub having` a projecting head, said hub being adapted to be mounted for rotation, radial girders inclined upwardly from the head ot' said hub, means to secure said girdeis to said head, a member encircling and securedl to said girders underneath and adjacent to their outer ends, an annular rail secured to said support, and a superstructure on said frame, divide-d into radial compartments, and having therein a central air intake opening with which said compartments communicate at their inner ends, said comy Y a drying ina-A Vchine of the class described; Witha suitably partments at -their outer ends opening through the periphery of said superstructure.

25. In a. drying machineot the classeescribed, a frame comprising a central member, a plurality of radial girders extending from' said member, and-.av channel member, 'for a driving cable, encircling and secured to said girders at their outer terminals, supporting means for said Central member and the lperipheral portion ofrsaidrameyand a superstructure on :said frame, divided ginto radial compartments, and lharing a central air intake opening with which said conipartments communicate at their innerends, said `compartment-s at ,theinouter .ends open- .:ingthrough lthe periphery of .said superstructure.

26. ln ;a ldryi ng machine, ofthe class doscribech an unenclosedcarrier rotatable on Va .verticalaxi s, and Vhaving a. roof, floors, .andpartitions dividing said .carrier into radial compartments, the Cent-ral portion vot saidcarrier being open, ,and ,said compartjments V comnninieating Vat vtheir inner and `outer ends respectively Vwith the cential opening insaidcarrier and the outside atmosphere, and ,aisupiporting .structure entirely underneath Lsaid carrier.

27. In va Adrying machine,of; the elassdescribedVan .unen'elosedcarrier rotatable Von a vertiealaxis, land yhaving a roof, floors, partitions, and ceilings dividing saidV ear rier into radial compartments, the central portion of said carrier being open, and said p l V.piled thereon, but permitting the tree pas- .sage lotair therethrough, means to secure Isaid trucks yin placeinsaidcompartments, andvpertorated stickers adapted to separate `lumber arranged in courses on Lsaid trucks,

compartments communieatingat their inner and outer lends respectively with the central opening in said carrierandithe outside atmosphere, and a supporting.structure .entirely Vunderneath lsaid ,carrier.

28. The combination, in a .drying machine, with a :carrier rotatable on,l a Vertlal aXis, `provided with radial,. compartments, and :having a @zentralen intake opemngwlth which said v.compartments Acominunicate at their ,inner ends, said compartments atthei-i' outer ends openingthrough the peripheryot said carrier, ,of trucks receivable in said compartments, each vot said trucks being provided at ,the .outer end With means lto prevent outward displacement of' the objeets :piled thereon, but perinittingthe tree passage .of air therethrough, and :means 4to secure saidtruchs in place `in said kcompanments.

.29. The combination, in a. drying ma- .chine, ,with a .Carrier yrotatable .ona Vertical airis, provided with radial compartments,

and having a centralainiii-take opening vwith which ,saidv compartments communicate at their inner ends, said compartments at .their outer Aends opening through the periphery ol lsaid carrierof trunks receiiable rin `said louter ends opening through the A periphery of said carrier, ot trucks receivableinsaid compartments, ,each of said trunks being provided `at the outer end with vmeans to prevent outward displacement oi theobjects whereby ,air may pass t'reely Ybet-Ween said courses and out through 'said securing means at the outer end of the truck.

GEORGEF. ALEXANDER. 

